Rocky is a big puppy to people he knows,or if your with me,he thinks he's a lap dog.Brutis is not as friendly to strangers,that's why he's on a logging chain.He has never bit anybody,I dont let but a few people near him.He is my guard dog,about a month ago two guys was trying to steal the copper from my central air unit and they dident know brutis could reach up to the units.It was about 3am when I heard the dogs barking,and I can tell when there barking at a person or some animal,the barks different.When I went outside to see what was going on,brutis had the two guys pinned in the corner of the fence.He dident try to bite them but he wouldent let them move.He sat there holding them in the corner,if one moved he would growl and they stoped moving.I called the cops and they came out and locked the two guys up.The cops told me,now that's a good guard dog.Some of the cops now want a pup of his,they were scared of brutis,they said that dog has strange eyes,they look straight through you.Brutis is a very smart dog,he knows about 10 commands.I run all my dogs 5 miles a day on a dog treadmill.They love it,the vet said my dogs were very healthy and happy dogs.Times have gotten so bad people will still anything they can get there hands on to make money.It's been going on far a long time in Atlanta,there stilling manhole covers from the streets,stilling from churches.They showed on the news where somebody had stolen all the central air units from a apartment complex.There is a small palm nursery in the next town over that I go to often.Last time I was there billy(the owner) told me someone stold three 25 gallon pindo palms during the night.He knows I sell pitbull puppies,and now he wants one of my dogs.I might trade for another big palm,I love the barter system.Your so right about keeping Uncle Sam out of the picture,they tax me to death already.I have to register my dogs with the city,but not the puppies :)

Andrew, Your collection must be amazing, especially for Western NY! I often wonder (even here in sunny Florida) the ability to grow Thai varieties as they were hybridized to look.... and I say this with caution because I'm not and expert by no means. I have been to Hawaii, Australia and Thailand and have witnessed for myself some of the most unique cultivars of plumeria in these regions as beautiful as you could ever imagine. Taking this into account, we are trying to grow what we see in the photo and I would say most of the time we have a a beautiful plumeria, however it's not quite the same. Now I'm not talking about the fake Blue or Purples, but what I'm talking about are the multicolored with unique shaped petals. All my Thai have sensitivity issues especially to cold or colder climate. When they do bloom they look nothing like what I thought I was buying. I too have had bud drop even with the ones I've got growing in the ground. What I have noticed it's more common before the heat of summer or during huge temperature fluctuations. This could also be a result from taking plants from inside the home to outdoors? We growers have huge expectations of what we desire to see blooming and the moment they do, our passion is fulfilled and we have a mental party in our own minds of excitement and happiness! Very few people understand us, but most people can appreciate the ultimate outcome! Stuart

Faron - since your DW and DD don't want to stay at 4S, take a look at The Hudson Hotel. I think it may definitely peak the interest of your DW & DD. It is a very happening, chic place. A place where you are apt to run into a celebrity or two during your stay. The Hudson has been used for more than a few movies as well as an episode of the S&ATC HBO series and Gossip Girl. While they do not advertise, the hotel is always full. Only in the middle of the hot summer when everyone on the island of Manhattan has escaped to the Hamptons will you find an available room at the last minute. I think it may be just the place to celebrate a 21st birthday in style. Anyhoo, I am attaching a link. Check it out with your DW. It is a bit pricey, but I try to get there at least once a year. I have nothing to do with The Hudson, make no money by endorsing them, just an obsession to go back as often as I can do so. In fact, after looking at their website, I do think my own DD's 21st might be celebrated there. I think the entire vibe of The Hudson is perfect for celebrating a 21st birthday. The Hudson is situated directly across the street from the Time Warner Center, which houses the Shops at Columbus Circle, and a short walk from Central Park. You could walk down W. 58th and not even know that it is a hotel unless you've had the good fortune of a stay. However, behind the long neon light and arborvitae standing in urns, lies a gem! Can't wait to hear about your final plans for the celebration of your DD's 21st birthday. Here is a link that might be useful: The Hudson Hotel

Not me, but my parents both did. My mom grew up in Little Falls,NY. Anyone ever heard of it? It's Upstate. I'd be so impressed. Her sisters live in Rome(NY), Binghamton and Utica. And assorted nieces and nephews all over that area. My dad grew up in the Bronx. He actually went to high school with Regis Philbin (different year though)and then St John's and NYU. Then they both moved to Washington DC for work and to get away from the winters and met through friends. The rest (ME!!) is history! LOL